Martha M. Cathey

Martha M. Cathey, age 71, of Hatfield, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2014 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born August 7, 1942 in Texarkana, Texas to the late B.F. Derryberry and the late Margie Gladys Walston Derryberry. She was united in marriage to Ray Cathey for 49 years. Mrs. Cathey earned her Masters degree in teaching. She taught at Hatfield and Faulk Schools. She hosted summer camps for the gifted and talented and was responsible for launching the Quiz Bowl for the state of Arkansas. Martha was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hatfield as well as Arkansas Gifted Educations Association, National Association of Gifted Children, AGATE, and the Educational Co-op. She was a supervisor for the Council of Exceptional Children and she was the original supervisor for Gifted and Talented at DeQueen and Mena. Mrs. Cathey was a special Ed supervisor and presentator at Gifted and Talented conferences. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend and will be greatly missed. Survivors are: husband: Ray Cathey of Hatfield, Arkansas; sons: Dr. Joseph Ray Cathey and wife Nancy of Godly, Texas, Gregory G. Cathey and wife Cassie of Bentonville, Arkansas; grandchildren: Addison, Ashlin, Avery, Alex, Andrew, and Natalie; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Hatfield First Baptist Church with Brother Scott O'Rear and Brother Barry Godwin officiating. Interment will follow at the New Hope Cemetery in Shady, Arkansas under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation with family and friends will be Friday, June 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com.